Chilliwack was flooded with purple fezzes recently as the Elks of Canada and members of the Royal Purple (the Elks' sister organization) held their annual conventions at the Landing Sports Centre and Coast Hotel respectively.

The Elks' convention was a special one because it also marked the fraternal organization's 100th anniversary.

Between 500 to 600 Elks and Royal Purple members converged on Chilliwack, coming from as far away as Nunavut.

The event also marked the end of Jerry Wernicke's one-year reign as the Elks' national leader.

The retired Chilliwack tugboat engineer was appointed the organization's Grand Exalted Ruler last July and he passed on the mantle Wednesday.